Southern New England Staycations: Newport’s hands-on aquarium

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — If you want a great oceanfront view in Newport, Easton’s beach is the place to be. But if you want to see what’s underwater here, you may want to stroll off the sand and into the Save the Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium.

“When they come here they get to get a real piece of Narragansett Bay, they get to see some of the life that is from Narragansett Bay,” said Save the Bay aquarium manager Adam Kovarsky. 

More than 40 species live in these tanks–from jellyfish to striped bass–all of them  native to the Ocean State. 

But most of these sea creatures don’t stay here very long. 

“We grow them for about a year to get them bigger, stronger, healthier, kind of give them a head start in life, and then release them back into the bay,” said Kovarski.

One of the more permanent fixtures here is Bowser the turtle. Bowser was rescued from the beach here eight years ago. 

“He’s a freshwater turtle, so he can’t survive if he gets to the beach,” said assistant aquarist Jessi Sullivan. 

Look closely and you’ll see he has two extra fingers and an extra-big appetite.

“He really loves to munch on anything,” said Sullivan.

The center’s three touch tanks offer people the chance to get cozy with everything from sea urchins to starfish–even a shark!

“He’s really personable, and people can actually reach in and touch him so they can really feel like what a shark feels like out in our waters,” said Sullivan.

For visitors of all ages, it’s a chance to learn by doing, and to support Save the Bay’s mission to preserve local marine life. 

Beyond the aquarium itself, Save the Bay offers plenty of opportunities to explore ocean life outdoors, too–from summer camps to exclusive nature cruises.

“You go to these remote locations with these gorgeous lighthouses on it. You get to see some islands that normally you need special permission to get on, so it’s just a really unique fun trip,” said Kovarsky.

Thursdays are always a good day to visit the Exploration Aquarium. It’s Feeding Frenzy Day, which means visitors get to feed the animals.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019